Arraignment Postponed Again For Palmdale Couple Accused In Beating Death of Boy

Gabriel Fernandez died in March 2013 after documents showed at least six complaints of child abuse and brutality were filed with (DCFS). (credit: CBS)

PALMDALE (CBSLA.com) — Arraignment was postponed again Tuesday for a couple accused in the beating death of the woman’s 8-year-old son in Antelope Valley.

Pearl Fernandez, 29, and 32-year-old Isauro Aguirre both face capital murder charges in the May 24 death of Gabriel Fernandez.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the boy was tortured by Aguirre, suffering a broken skull and ribs as well as cigarette burns, abrasions on his ankles and bruises all over his body.

The child’s mother is accused of doing nothing to stop the beating. Investigators said she has admitted to being in the apartment at the time.

Authorities were tipped off to the abuse on May 22 after the Los Angeles County Fire Department was called out to the 200 block of East Avenue Q-10 on a report of a boy who was not breathing.

Gabriel Fernandez was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

Documents later showed that the LA County Department of Children and Family Services failed to intervene despite multiple abuse allegations made by family and teachers.

The couple is being held without bail and will return to court on Aug. 13.